'No Violation By My Government': Jagan Reddy Says He'll Write To PM Modi, CJI In Tirupati Laddoo Row

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday rebutted the claims made by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu over the ongoing controversy on the preparation of Tirupati Balaji prasadam laddoos, saying that no violation took place under his government and the entire controversy is unwarranted.

Accusing Naidu of doing pity politics in the name of god, the former CM said that the ghee which is used to prepare the laddoos is procured NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) certified companies and then thoroughly tested. The process of ghee procurement is totally transparent, Reddy said.

Read More: ‘Samples Highly Adulterated, Legal Action Soon’: Tirupati Temple Trust On Laddoo Row

He further informed that apart from these lab tests, Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanam (TTD) also conducts its own round of tests thrice to check the quality of ghee. The same process is being followed for years.

The former AP CM also stated that he will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, explaining how Naidu “twisted the facts” on the issue.

“Ultimately, at the end of the day, I myself am writing a letter to the Prime Minister. I am also writing a letter to the Chief Justice of India. I am explaining to them as to how Chandrababu Naidu twisted the facts and why action should not be taken against him for having done so,” he noted.

The YSRCP chief further accused Naidu of using god for political gains and insulting Lord Venkateshwara Swamy. He said that Naidu alleged ghee adulteration in Tirupati prasadam laddoos to divert attention from his 100 days governance in Andhra Pradesh.

“This is a diversion politics. On one hand, people are expressing their anger at Chandrababu Naidu’s hundred days rule. They are demanding what happened to their “Super six” (poll promises). In order to divert people’s attention, this concocted story,” he said.

The ghee adulteration allegations are atrocious, he said, and asked is it fair to play with sentiments of crores of devotees across world.

“The tender process occurs every six months, and the qualification criteria has not changed for decades. Suppliers must provide an NABL certificate and a product quality certificate. TTD collects samples from the ghee, and only products that pass certification are used. TDP is politicising religious matters. We have rejected the products in our regime 18 times,” Reddy added.

Laddoo Controversy Reaches Court

Senior YSRCP leader Y V Subba Reddy has filed a petition in Andhra Pradesh High Court over the ongoing controversy over the prasadam laddoos. He sought to file a lunch motion petition On Friday for unearthing the truth surrounding alleged use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddoos during the previous YSRCP regime. The High Court Will Hear the petition on September 25.

Additionally, a petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court alleging that the act violates fundamental Hindu religious customs and deeply hurts the sentiments of countless devotees.

Read More: ‘Only Cow Milk Used For Ghee’: Tirupati Milk Supplier Officials React Amid Row

In the plea, the petitioner said the alleged presence of animal fat in the laddu is symptomatic of larger systemic issues in temple administration and has called for the sanctity of Hindu religious practices to be protected.

Centre Takes Cognisance Of Matter

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday sought a detailed report from Naidu over the allegations. Addressing the reporters in New Delhi, Nadda said, “I spoke to Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu after getting information about this and took details from him. I have asked him to share the available report so that I can examine it.”

He added that the Centre will coordinate with state authorities and action will be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations. “I will also speak to the state regulators and investigate this. Suitable action will be taken as per the food safety standards. As of now, I have asked for the report and we will examine it,” the Health Minister said.

Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi has also demanded an investigation into allegations made by Naidu regarding the usage of ‘beef tallow’, ‘lard’ (relating to pig fat), and fish oil in the ghee used for laddoos at Tirupati temple.

YS Sharmila Seeks CBI Probe

Earlier in the day, Andhra Pradesh Congress President and Jagan Reddy’s sister, YS Sharmila wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding a CBI probe to ascertain Naidu’s claim.

She assailed Naidu and Jagan Reddy for indulging in ‘heinous politics’ over the preparation of Tirupati laddoos.

Read More: Tirumala Tirupati Laddoos In ‘Animal Fat’ Soup: Who Supplied Ghee And Who Said What? Controversy Explained

What’s The Controversy?

A massive row erupted on Wednesday after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu claimed that animal fat was used in Tirupati laddoos during the previous government when YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was the Chief Minister of the state.

He claimed that the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government did not even spare Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati and used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making laddoos.

Later, TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, addressing a press conference, claimed that the adulteration had been confirmed by a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory, on the ghee samples provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

He displayed the purported laboratory report which apparently confirmed the presence of ‘beef tallow, Lard, and Fish Oil in the given ghee sample.